Product News and Recalls

Study show link between stroke, hip replacement

A study of patients in Denmark found that those who underwent total hip replacement surgery have a higher risk of stroke in the weeks following the operation, according to a story on MedPage Today.

Drawing on a sample of 67,000 patients who underwent total hip replacement, the researchers found they were five times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke, which is caused by an obstruction such as blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain, within 14 days of the operation.

They were also four times more likely to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain, within the same span.

The story says stroke had already been identified as a serious complication from total hip replacements, but comparisons hadn’t previously been made between patients undergoing the operation and nonsurgical controls.

Patients who received an all-metal hip implant manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics may have to undergo the surgery and its attendant risks twice in a relatively short period of time. DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recalled that model of artificial hip in 2010 because of its tendency to break down early – obliging nearly half of the recipients to get another hip joint implanted within six years.

According to the MedPage Today article, the heightened stroke risk lasted for about 12 weeks.

You should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns from a DePuy hip implant. If you have significant injuries, you should also consult with a DePuy hip lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

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